About Fredi

Fredi Walker-Browne

Fredi was blessed with the experience of creating the role of JoAnne Jefferson in the smash hit musical RENT which won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as four TONY Awards, the Drama Desk and the Golden Globe Awards for Best Musical of that year and for which she personally garnered an Obie (in concert with the fantastic ensemble that made up the RENT OBC) and a FANNY award.

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Actress – Director-Writer -Teacher

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Fr Fredi as SHAY on The Big C

Fredi as RAFIKI in The Lion King

Fredi as NURSE TASHE on Law & Order

In her career, Fredi performed in many hit musicals including: THE LION KING (Rafiki), ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Erzulie), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Crystal), THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY (Apollo Singer) and AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ (Armelia). Most recently, she is pleased to be in Rebecca Miller’s new film MAGGIE’S PLAN(in a scene with Ethan Hawke) and was lucky enough to be a part of SHOWTIME’s Emmy Award Winning series THE BIG C which boasts a cast of some of her all-time favorite actors including Laura Linney, Oliver Platt, Susan Sarandon, Alan Alda and F.O.R.* Victor Garber! (*Friend Of RENT)

Fredi’s Directing credits include: AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ – The Fats Waller Musical, SCANDALOUS PEOPLE, by Myla Churchill, THE MOST FABULOUS STORY EVER TOLD by Paul Rudnick, and WHEN THE CHICKENS CAME HOME TO ROOST, by Lawrence Holder in addition to two documentary films, NO INSTRUMENTS – JUST VOICES and CORNBREAD, COLLARDS AND COWPEAS .

As a screenwriter, Mrs. Browne has completed several feature films including THE RIVERBOAT EXPLOIT which just had a staged reading at THE NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE in Harlem, BLOWFISHand JOSHUA’S HARP as well as a television series titled ALL MY BABY PHATHERS.

As a model she has appeared twice in MODE magazine (a fashion magazine dedicated to plus sizes) and as a model/spokesperson for Lane Bryant’s Harlem store opening gala in the fall of 98. She also performed live jazz for evening wear designer CARMEN MARC VALVO in his Spring ‘98 show, wearing a gown designed especially for her by Carmen, to the delight of fashion reviewers, and became the first “plus” model to appear at NYC’s prestigious 7TH ON SIXTH fashion event. She was interviewed by 20/20 on the topic of women’s body issues and beauty and she remains a spokesperson on the subject.

Fredi is a staunch advocate for Arts Education. She is a member of the Director’s Program for her alma mater, New York University’s Dramatic Writing Department since 1997 and has mounted several pieces for them including a highly successful multi-media staged screenplay reading for NYU’s first ever SCREENPLAY FESTIVAL. She joined the faculty of Long Island University in the spring of 1999 to teach the course she designed entitled “Professional Skills for Actors”. Fredi teaches voice, acting and Professional Skills to people of all ages and skill levels. She teaches workshops and masterclasses all over the country and is proud to help prepare the next generation of great artists.